Since 1945 the Cleveland Cultural Gardens
Federation (CCGF) has celebrated One World Day exemplifying the
theme of the Gardens: “Peace through Mutual Understanding." A
highlight is the Parade of Flags where hundreds of marchers from
dozens of cultures march with flags and traditional clothing of
their heritage. The Parade of Flags has grown into a large and
colorful display of the numerous heritages represented in the
Gardens and the broader Cleveland community.
Olympic star Dominique Moceanu will be the Grand Marshal of the
2022 Parade of Flags. Dominique was part of the first U.S. Women's
Gymnastics Team to ever win Olympic Gold in 1996. Her team broke
barriers in the sport and inspired generations to come with its
monumental Olympic victory for the US.
Dominique remains the youngest Olympic gold medalist in U.S
gymnastics history at the tender age of 14. She is also youngest
Senior U.S. National All-Around Champion in history (age 13),
nine-time U.S. National Team Member, as well as back-to-back junior
and Senior All-Around National Champion (1994-1995). She is a World
Championship silver and bronze medalist. In 1998, Dominique became
the only American woman in history to win the Goodwill Games
All-Around title. She’s been inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall
of Fame and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame with her 1996 teammates.
She authored a New York Times bestselling memoir titled Off Balance,
which shared her story and shone a light on making the sport safer
for future generations of athletes. Having long called for
improvements and positive change in her sport, Dominique has become
an advocate for young athletes – in an attempt to provide them with
support and safety measures she herself never received.
Dominique believes athletes can have a healthy experience, free from
abuse and still be successful at the highest levels of their
respective sports. She was called to testify before the Senate
Judiciary Committee to push for a system of mandates to protect
child athletes from abuse.
Dominique is also the proud business owner of the Dominique Moceanu
Gymnastics Center in Medina, OH, where she practices what she has
preached – offering a safe, supportive and enjoyable experience for
the young athletes, where parents are welcome and there is even a
yoga studio on site!
Dominique is proud of her Romanian heritage and is eager to be part
of the diversity of One World Day.
The 76th One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens will be
held on Sunday August 28, 2022 from 11 AM – 6PM throughout the
Gardens on both East and MLK Boulevards.
Find out more about the 76th One World Day at https://clevelandoneworldday.org/2022/
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